Your Baby's

Congratulations! The birth of your child is an occasion of great joy for you and your family.
Our church community shares this joy as you present your child for baptism.

Your desire the best for your child and that means beginning to share your faith in a wonderful and
unique way. God wants to entrust to you, as parents the care of your child's
unique gift of faith in this sacrament. It is like the precious mustard seed which, through your careful
guidance and love over the years, will grow into the magnificent tree which Jesus calls the Kingdom of
God, and the promise of eternal life.
Through baptism your child will become a child of God in Christ.
Baptism is also the first sacra­ment
of initiation into the community of faith and the life and mission of the Church.

Please read this carefully and download the registration form below.

Rev. Fr. Howard James
Parish Priest.

What should I do? Please complete as much of the form as possible and return it to the parish
office, 39, Duncan Terrace. Keep this half of the leaflet for the dates of the course.
If you live in another parish you will need to bring a letter of permission from your actual
parish priest.

Dates? All baptisms must be preceded by preparation. Before any dates can be arranged or
confirmed the diocese asks that you simply attend Baptism Preparation sessions. At St. John's
baptism preparation consists of two evening sessions and is held about once every two months.
The dates for the last part of this year are:

7.30pm on 2nd & 9th September 2008
4th & 11th November 2008

Dates for baptism can be arranged at the end of the session.

Time - Baptism takes place either during Mass on most Sundays or, outside Mass, on the first
Saturday of the month but not during Advent or Lent (except in emergencies.)

Baptismal Names - your child's name is unique and careful thought goes into choosing it, but of
course the name should have a Christian sentiment. It goes without saying that the best names to choose
are those of the saints. It means that we have a patron (a friend in heaven) praying for us.
You can follow the link 'saints and angels' at www.catholic.org for a full list of saints' names.

Godparents - the role of Godparents is very important. They will help you nurture the seed of
faith in your child and help you to see that your child is brought up in the living-out of faith.
Godparents are very welcome to attend the course. At least one God­parent must be a practising
Catholic who has been confirmed.
Please speak to a priest before inviting other people to be Godparents.

Church Offering - it is customary to make an offering to the Church on these occasions.
As a guide, the amount should be in proportion to the other expenses involved in the baptism and
is for the support of the church.

..........DOWNLOAD HERE..........